Eyes

Hi
This was taken while on holiday in Uganda earlier this year. The picture was much larger showing a bunch of kids, but when I saw the eye of a boy looking though these two children here, I thought this made for a stronger composition.
I'd be happy for you to let me know what you think and if any improvements could be made to the image. All mods are welcome.
Thank you for looking.
Best Wishes
Tracey

Ive looked at this for a while Tracey. Its obviously a good shot, and interesting. It almost hits all the buttons, but as I said, I had to look at it for a while, and closely to see what would improve it. My original tendency was to suggest that it would be better if deliberately focused on the eye behind (sharper) that the kids at front, but of course this wasnt the case, and is a crop from a larger scene. Would have been nice to see the larger scene loaded as a version or a mod too.
Where I ended up with it was that the focal point is the kid behind, so if not sharp, he/she needs to be on a third; then looking at the front two, they are a little oversharpened, so reduce sharpness in front, increase behind, and a square crop to place the kid behind on a third, emphasizing the focal point. I did notice something on the partial face that I cloned out, - I may have removed a nose, but it looks to me that the nose would be on the other side, so perhaps just a piece of clothing.
Either way, - well done, and mod loaded for review.
Regards
Willie

Ive looked at this for a while Tracey. Its obviously a good shot, and interesting. It almost hits all the buttons, but as I said, I had to look at it for a while, and closely to see what would improve it. My original tendency was to suggest that it would be better if deliberately focused on the eye behind (sharper) that the kids at front, but of course this wasnt the case, and is a crop from a larger scene. Would have been nice to see the larger scene loaded as a version or a mod too.

Where I ended up with it was that the focal point is the kid behind, so if not sharp, he/she needs to be on a third; then looking at the front two, they are a little oversharpened, so reduce sharpness in front, increase behind, and a square crop to place the kid behind on a third, emphasizing the focal point. I did notice something on the partial face that I cloned out, - I may have removed a nose, but it looks to me that the nose would be on the other side, so perhaps just a piece of clothing.

I didn't see the extra eye at first because of the strength of the foreground. Cover the background one, and the picture is just as good IMHO.
The extra eye changes the picture's direction slightly, and with or without is a good picture. Personally, I prefer it without.
I really don't think you need the parent's permission, plus it is not illegal to take pictures of children, nor is it illegal to put them online unless you use them for specific uses which I won't go into here.
Nick

I didn't see the extra eye at first because of the strength of the foreground. Cover the background one, and the picture is just as good IMHO.

The extra eye changes the picture's direction slightly, and with or without is a good picture. Personally, I prefer it without.

I really don't think you need the parent's permission, plus it is not illegal to take pictures of children, nor is it illegal to put them online unless you use them for specific uses which I won't go into here.

Thank you for all of your comments and feedback, they are all very much appreciated. Thank you in particular to:
Willie - Yes, I quite like the tighter crop and you are right, the middle eye looks better on the thirds. I will have another go.
Albert - Your modification is also better, did you just do a selection of the neck area then adjust the levels?
Keith - Thanks for your advice about parental permission, althought this would have been difficult to obtain, the children were street kids and they are now 1000s of miles away.
Thanks again everyone.
Best Wishes
Tracey

Thank you for all of your comments and feedback, they are all very much appreciated. Thank you in particular to:
Willie - Yes, I quite like the tighter crop and you are right, the middle eye looks better on the thirds. I will have another go.
Albert - Your modification is also better, did you just do a selection of the neck area then adjust the levels?
Keith - Thanks for your advice about parental permission, althought this would have been difficult to obtain, the children were street kids and they are now 1000s of miles away.
Thanks again everyone.
Best Wishes
Tracey

I've uploaded a mod where I used Lightroom's brush set to very low clarity to reduce the 'sharpness' of the skin texture. I actually prefer that detail myself.
BTW surely you don't need parental permission or model releases for non commercial use?

I've uploaded a mod where I used Lightroom's brush set to very low clarity to reduce the 'sharpness' of the skin texture. I actually prefer that detail myself.